I received a wonderful email last week from a gentleman who had just completed his first marathon. I would like to share his message with you as I feel it embodies what the marathon experience should be:

I am 41 years old and I just ran my first Marathon in Houston last Sunday. I finished in just over 6 hours. I hurt all over, made all of the rookie mistakes that could be made even after being warned and reading about them and it was still one of the greatest experiences of my life. I got to share the moment with my wife who is starting to think that maybe she could run a 5K and my 7 year old son that got to run the last 50 yards with me. I just hope that I can inspire him to maintain good health if he sees me run these events. I started running to lose weight and get fit. Now I run to maintain my fitness and achieve new goals.

- James Shults (Mission, TX)

First of all, finishing a marathon should be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of ones life. As James stated, even with lots of pain, it was still one of the greatest experiences of his life. As you train for a marathon or half marathon, always think about what it will feel like to cross the finish line. Think about it every day. Especially when you need to run through pain, bad weather, or whatever obstacles may (and will!) come your way.

Something else I found touching in his story is how James is using his experience to inspire his family into better health and as a launching pad to new successes in his life. When you cross the finish line, you will be physically and mentally exhausted, aching all over, but most importantly, you will feel incredibly confident about yourself and you will feel unstoppable as to what you can now accomplish. Keep charging! Use this experience to propel every aspect of your life. Then share your experience with others and help inspire them so they too can enjoy the sensational high and the benefits that come along with finishing a marathon.

Action Items:

 As you train, always think about the feeling you will have when you cross the finish line. Do this and you will create a burning desire within yourself that will allow nothing to stop you from achieving your goal.

 Once you cross the finish line, use your newfound self-confidence and great health to elevate every area of your life.